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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Dr. Charles Weaver • Article Archive

Dr. Charles Weaver is on the faculty of the Juilliard School, and serves as organist and director of music at St. Mary’s Church in Norwalk, Connecticut. His research interests include the history of music theory and the theory of plainchant rhythm. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and four children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Dr. Charles Weaver · January 26, 2023

What is the Tonic Accent?

We should define our terms. What makes a syllable accented, and what makes an accent a tonic accent?

Dr. Charles Weaver · December 8, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “The Limits of History”

There’s nothing necessarily authentic about the “authentic” rhythm.

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 26, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “On the Nuance Theory of Plainchant”

A brief historical survey of free rhythm in plainchant, as practiced from the modern monastic foundation of Solesmes (1833) to the present.

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 16, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Disputed Questions” (16 Nov 2022)

A few further thoughts on what ways of singing chant are “allowed.”

Dr. Charles Weaver · November 13, 2022

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “Charlie’s First Response to Jeff” (13 Nov 2022)

Ostrowski, wishing to avoid fussiness, may justifiably refuse this invitation. But to argue, as he has, that these signs and the prayerful and aesthetic movements they embody are “illicit” is just wildly off the mark.

Dr. Charles Weaver · October 23, 2022

An Upcoming Concert in NYC

Announcing a concert next Saturday in honor of Christ the King.

Dr. Charles Weaver · October 9, 2022

The Solesmes Episema and Contemplation

Are we even singing the Solesmes rhythm at all?

Dr. Charles Weaver · September 29, 2022

Solmization from the Inside: Part 2

What can medieval and renaissance music pedagogy offer to us now?

Dr. Charles Weaver · September 12, 2022

Pre-Reformation Polyphony among the Recusants

What happened to all that polyphony once Catholicism became illegal?

Dr. Charles Weaver · August 26, 2022

PDF Download • Mocquereau on Trochee Trouble

This can seem like a dry topic, but it actually often deals with practical issues faced by every choirmaster who wants to promote plainchant.

Dr. Charles Weaver · July 23, 2022

Pothier Teaches Us to Sing an Antiphon

A look at Dom Pothier’s performance instructions for a communion antiphon reveals a great deal of complexity in this pre-Mocquereau interpretive approach.

Dr. Charles Weaver · May 26, 2022

Summer Courses in Sacred Music in New York

This summer, there are several interesting graduate-level courses on offer at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York.

Dr. Charles Weaver · May 7, 2022

A Curious Rhythmic Detail in Tomorrow’s Jubilus

Occasionally the Solesmes rhythmic markings are surprising, as in one of tomorrow’s alleluias. Can we make sense of this?

Dr. Charles Weaver · January 16, 2022

The Communion of the Second Sunday after Epiphany

Today’s communion antiphon is a masterpiece of musical exegesis.

Dr. Charles Weaver · January 3, 2022

The Responsa ad dubia and the Solesmes Chant Restoration

The early history of Solesmes plainchant research provides a historical parallel for responding to current Vatican liturgical rules.

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Amid all these old liturgical books, I find that I am happy and at ease; I feel at home.

— Dom André Mocquereau (1884)

Recent Posts

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